Verify Efficacy Of ‘My Kochi’ App For Septage Waste Collection : Kerala High Court To Cochin Corporation

Justice Devan Ramachandran directed the Standing Counsel of the Corporation to obtain specific instructions and to submit a report before the Court regarding the usage of the app for the purposes of septage waste collection and disposal.

“The Secretary of Corporation of Kochi is hereby directed to immediately verify the progress and functioning of the ‘My Kochi’ app and to ensure that it is functioning without any impediment so as to allow the public to post their grievances therein. He shall, while doing this, verify whether option for booking for collection of septage waste is being utilized well and if so, the steps taken to ensure that the same is handled correctly from the stage of collection till disposal. The said authority will also inform the Court if there are any methods in the app to track the septage waste throughout its transit and if not, to suggest what is to be done with respect to this in the application”

The court passed the above order while considering the issue of septage waste disposal in public places, especially in water bodies. Earlier, the Court had directed that strict action will be taken against people who block drains by dumping waste and causing flooding of the city.

Amicus Curiae, Govind Padmanaabhan informed the Court about ‘My Kochi’ app where there is an option for the public to post their grievances regarding septage waste collection. The Court was informed that the app also has an option wherein public can make bookings for collection of septic waste. The Amicus Curiae submitted before the Court that the Corporation can apprise the Court as to how the app can manage the collection and disposal of septic waste and hotel waste. It was also submitted that the Corporation can inform the Court as to how the app can be used to monitor and prevent water logging. The Court was also informed that at present the app does not have all the features mentioned above.

The Court further enquired whether the app can be used for preventing logging and the Secretary was also directed to include his remarks in the report as to how the app can be used for it. The Secretary was also directed to inform the Court regarding the septage waste treatment facility in Kochi.

The Court stated that the issue of dumping of waste especially septic waste into public areas and water bodies cannot be taken lightly. It noted that this requires immediate and urgent action. The Court also issued various directions to prevent the dumping of septic waste into the water bodies. It also noted that people have to be warned against dumping septage waste into public places, especially in water bodies.

Case Title: Treesa K.J. v State of Kerala

Case number: WP(C)Nos.23911/2018 & Connected matters

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